Farrah Fawcett was an American actress, primarily known for her breakthrough work as original cast member Jill Munroe in the iconic TV series Charlie's Angels, nominated for a Golden Globe for her work there and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for other television projects, in particular, The Burning Bed and Small Sacrifice, and motion pictures (especially Extremities). Every young man of the era (myself included) was captivated by her all-American good looks, including her classic poster (above photo) which shattered all sales records.
As impressed as I am by 62-year-old Farrah's professional accomplishments, I am even more impressed with her valiant struggle against cancer and the remarkable chronicle she captured of her fight, determined not to compromise the integrity of the project, even keeping the cameras on as she was overcome with nausea and briefly turned away. NBC-TV broadcast "Farrah's Story" this past spring, and it was one of the most compelling projects I have ever seen. It gave us a rare insight into her remarkable character, her strength, her spunkiness, and her love for her son Redmond and longtime companion, actor Ryan O'Neal. My thoughts and prayers are especially with them and with her family, especially Mr. Fawcett, whom has now lost a second daughter to this awful disease.
One issue I want to raise in the context of the documentary is the fact that Farrah Fawcett decided that she couldn't get some of the treatments which she asserts worked for her in the US and quickly bonded with a female German specialist. This is particularly relevant in discussion government involvement (e.g., FDA) in matters involving drugs and treatment. In my judgment, we need to look at lowering related barriers to entry to innovative health care products, techniques, and technologies, in particular, streamlining FDA processes in order to shorten the critical path to marketplace availability. I am also concerned, in the context of Obama's so-called health care reforms, that we may be trying to punish success in the American pharmaceutical industry. In addition, we must be careful of any back-door measures towards a national health care system which controls costs by rationing services--such as those available to Farrah, which probably allowed her, during periods of remission, to extend her quality of life.
Rest in peace, sweet Farrah. You are no longer just one of Charlie's Angels. You are God's angel now.
